TMZ broke the story ... Pippen allegedly brutalized an autograph seeker outside Nobu restaurant Sunday night. The man was knocked out after Pippen allegedly punched him in the face and kicked him repeatedly.

The site reported earlier Monday that Pippen had been arrested, which was incorrect.

The altercation occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Nobu restaurant, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. There was an argument between Pippen and the man, who was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries, Whitmore said. His condition was not immediately available.

By Monday afternoon, Pippen had been questioned by police and was cooperative, said Whitmore. Pippen was allowed to leave without being charged, said Whitmore.

"Mr. Pippen will not be arrested, there's more here than meets the eye," said Whitmore.

Pippen, 47, won six championships as a member of the Bulls in the 1990s. The 1987 first-round pick holds career averages of 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists over a 17-year career with the Bulls, Rockets and Blazers. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Last October, the Bulls named Pippen "senior advisor to team president and COO Michael Reinsdorf" and the three-time All-NBA First Team selection regularly attended Bulls games this year. The Bulls declined comment on the incident, according to the Associated Press.

Back in 2011, Pippen sued a number of media outlets for defamation in relation to stories about his finances. His lawsuit was later dismissed.